Pre-paying your mortgage is the right thing to do as the mort/gage (death-promise), is your BIGGEST wealth stealer. But, if you you have ANY credit lines with a higher interest rate than your mortgage rate, you would be better served to pay them off first with the 30%(or more if you can scrap it together)extra. Once you've recovered ALL your monthly payments that you've been using to service your debt. Use that ENTIRE amount monthly to pay down your mortgage. You won't believe how fast you can pay off your mortgage.Eliminating your ALL your debts should be the first step in investing. Once you're DEBT FREE (including your mortgage), then place the total amount in any tax-deferred vehicle you have available )401k, 403b, IRA, etc. Then FOOL ON!

When Life Gives You Lemons
We all have had hardships and made poor decisions. The important thing is how we respond and grow. Read the story of a Fool who started from nothing, and looks to gain everything.

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